SISFS • Startup India Seed Fund
Startup India Seed Fund (SISFS)
Grants up to ₹20L • Investment up to ₹50L
Access milestone-based grants for proof of concept and debt/convertible funding for market entry and scale through DPIIT’s incubator-led Startup India Seed Fund Scheme.
Sapno Se Safalta Tak
₹0L
Max Grant (PoC / Prototype / Trials)
₹0L
Max Debt / Convertible
0d
First Grant Instalment Window
0%
Collateral / Guarantee Required
What It Is
What Is SISFS?
The Startup India Seed Fund Scheme provides early-stage startups with financial assistance for proof of concept, prototype development, product trials, market entry and commercialisation via an incubator-driven process administered by DPIIT.
Startups may receive up to ₹20 lakh as a grant for PoC, prototype and product trials, and up to ₹50 lakh as investment through convertible debentures or debt/debt-linked instruments for market entry and scaling.
Why Founders Apply
- 01
DPIIT-recognised startup and ≤2 years at application
- 02
≤₹10 lakh prior government funding (certain supports excluded)
- 03
≥51% shareholding by Indian promoters at application
- 04
Milestone-based disbursement and incubator agreement
SISFS Desk
Why Choose Our SISFS Support?
Incubator Selection, Milestone Structure And A Compliance-Ready File - So The First Instalment Is Not Stuck On Paperwork.
01
Non-Dilutive Grants
Milestone-based grants up to ₹20 lakh for PoC, prototyping and product trials via empanelled incubators.
02
Unsecured Debt / Convertibles
Up to ₹50 lakh with interest not exceeding the repo rate, tenure ≤60 months, up to 12 months moratorium and no promoter or third-party guarantee.
03
Time-Bound Release
First grant instalment to selected startups within 60 days from application receipt, subject to incubator milestones.
04
Sector Priorities
Preference for tech-led innovations in impact sectors like healthcare, agri/food, energy, mobility and more.
05
Incubator-Led Execution
Selection, agreements, milestone tracking and fund release are executed by recognised incubators.
06
Compliance-Ready
Support for utilisation certificates, progress reporting and adherence to scheme conditions.
Who Qualifies
Eligibility Criteria
DPIIT Recognition, Age, Shareholding And Prior-Funding Caps - Plus The Conditions That Govern How Money Can Be Used.
Who Can Apply?
DPIIT & Age
DPIIT-recognised startup incorporated not more than 2 years before the application date.
Technology In Core
Technology used in the core product, service, business model or delivery methodology.
Priority Sectors
Preference for solutions in listed priority sectors such as healthcare, agri/food, energy and mobility.
Prior Funding Cap
Not received more than ₹10 lakh monetary support from other Central/State schemes (with specified exceptions).
Indian Shareholding
At least 51% shareholding by Indian promoters at the time of application.
Conditions
Grant Use
Grant strictly for PoC, prototype and trials - not for creation of facilities.
Debt / Convertible Terms
Interest ≤ repo rate, tenure ≤60 months, moratorium up to 12 months, unsecured, no guarantees.
Milestone Agreement
Milestone-based disbursement under a legal agreement with the incubator.
Company Account
Funds are credited to the company bank account with periodic utilisation reporting.
Once Per Category
Seed support can be availed once in each category (grant and debt/convertible) as per the scheme.
How To Apply
Simple Application Process
Five Steps From The SISFS Portal To Milestone Disbursement And Utilisation Reporting.
- STEP 01
PROCESS
Apply On Portal
Submit the application on the Startup India Seed Fund portal and select preferred incubators.
- STEP 02
PROCESS
Evaluation
Incubators assess eligibility, tech readiness, market fit and alignment with sector priorities.
- STEP 03
PROCESS
Agreement & Milestones
If selected, sign a legal agreement defining milestones and permitted use of funds.
- STEP 04
PROCESS
Disbursement & Reporting
Receive milestone-linked tranches; submit progress updates and utilisation certificates.
- STEP 05
PROCESS
Follow-Up & Support
After disbursement, regular follow-ups help ensure milestones are met and challenges are addressed.
Paperwork
Required Documents
Important: Prepare a compliant application, select aligned incubators and structure milestones so disbursement is not delayed. Vikas Bharat sends a file-specific SISFS checklist after eligibility.
DPIIT recognition proof and Certificate of Incorporation
Company bank account details for fund receipt
Declaration on prior government funding within the ₹10 lakh limit, as applicable
Shareholding details evidencing ≥51% Indian promoter ownership at application
Interim/final utilisation certificates and progress reports as per milestones
- How much funding is available under SISFS?
- Up to ₹20 lakh as a grant for PoC/prototype/product trials and up to ₹50 lakh as investment via convertible debentures or debt/debt-linked instruments for market entry and scaling.
- Is equity or collateral required?
- Grants are non-dilutive and debt/convertible funding is unsecured with no promoter or third-party guarantees. Interest is capped at not more than the prevailing repo rate, with tenure up to 60 months and a possible moratorium up to 12 months.
- Who can apply to SISFS?
- DPIIT-recognized startups incorporated not more than 2 years before application that use technology in their core and meet shareholding and prior-funding conditions are eligible to apply via the portal.
- How are funds disbursed?
- Funds are released by incubators in milestone-based tranches to the company’s bank account. The first grant instalment must be released within 60 days from receipt of application, followed by progress and utilization reporting.
- What compliance requirements follow after registration?
- Startups must maintain utilization certificates, milestone evidence and reporting as stipulated by DPIIT and the empanelled incubator.
- Can a startup receive support more than once?
- A startup can receive seed support once in each category - once as a grant and once as debt/convertible - subject to selections and scheme provisions.
SISFS Questions, Answered
Grant Vs Debt, Collateral, Who Can Apply, How Money Is Released, And Whether You Can Apply Twice.
How much funding is available under SISFS?
Up to ₹20 lakh as a grant for PoC/prototype/product trials and up to ₹50 lakh as investment via convertible debentures or debt/debt-linked instruments for market entry and scaling.
Is equity or collateral required?
Who can apply to SISFS?
How are funds disbursed?
What compliance requirements follow after registration?
Keep exploring
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Open TIDE 2.0 Scheme
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